Notes and Gleanings. 359 



to the demand in our markets, which limit was passed this season in New York, 

 when strawberries were dull at eight cents per quart at wholesale. With the 

 present price of labor, they cannot be produced for any such sum. The culti- 

 vated blackberry, however, is not at all likely to be so abundant as to overstock 

 the market. It is also to be borne in mind, that the system for distributing truit 

 to consumers is by no means perfect, and that an absolute dearth may exist in 

 many places, wliile a glut may occur in other sections, for want of facilities in 

 picking, forw'arding, or selling to consumers at any thing like the wholesale 

 rates. 



^''Gooseberries. — The Mountain Seedling was first among American kinds. 

 Very fine English Green Gage were exhibited by Mr. G. A. Godbold, showing 

 what are the possibihties with this fruit. 



"Pears. — The early kinds, Madeline and Doyenne d'£te appeared Aug. i. 

 Beurre Giffard took the first prize Aug. 15. Rostiezer was best Aug. 29, and 

 again superior Sept. 5. Clapp's Favorite was also superior on this day ; and its 

 value and excellence is fully confirmed. It must be picked early, decidedly 

 earlier than the Bartlett, and invariably ripened for ten days in the house, in 

 order to obtain its good quality. At the annual exliibition in September, the 

 collection of pears was large and fine, a credit to any State or country, though, 

 perhaps, not equal to w^hat we have seen in former years. Among the most at- 

 tractive varieties, and of superior quality, we may name the Bartlett, Clapp, 

 Duchesse, Sheldon, Mt. Vernon, Bosc, Beurre Hardy, Seckel, Louise Bonne, 

 Bewrre d'Anjou, Sw^an's Orange, Superfin, and Beurre Clairgeau. A seedling 

 pear, from Albert Bresee of Vermont, much resembling the Glout Morceau, and 

 yet fully ripe Sept. 19, is worthy of trial. 



"At the monthly exhibition, Oct. 10, the best single dish of pears was the 

 Sheldon ; Urbaniste was second, and Beurre Bosc was third. For winter pears, 

 the award was made Nov. 14 ; the first prize being taken by Caen du France, the 

 second by Lawrence, and tiie third by Beurre d'Aremberg. The Mt. \'ernon 

 of Messrs. Walker was also very fine, equal to any specimens we have ever 

 before seen. Dr. Shurtleff's Seedling Pear, Gen. Grant, was again tested. It 

 is of fair quality, a little coarse, and with a slight tendency to rot at the core. 

 Its large size and fine appearance may make it desirable. We need only add, 

 under this head, that each season confirms the opinion that the pear is at home 

 in Massachusetts. 



" The Apple. — We are glad to report an excellent crop of this most important 

 fruit. It is true, our orchards have sadly diminished in the eastern portion of 

 the State within a few jears ; and many of those which remain have been seri- 

 ously and, probably, permanently injured by the ravages of the canker-worm : yet 

 this last evil has been less felt than usual during the past year. While this is a 

 source of congratulation to the negligent, the diligent orchardist rejoices in the 

 health and vigor of his trees, which, by his care, have been kept in thrift, and which 

 now yield a return reminding us of the abundance of the past. There can be 

 no doubt tliat our soil and climate are eminently fitted for the growth of the 

 apple in its highest state of excellence. It is to be regretted that the returns 

 from this crop require so many years, such long and patient waiting, that young 



